Electronic organ with alternate reiteration by three-note groups



United States Patent [72] Inventor Walter Munch, Jr.

Park Hills, Covington, Ky. [21] Appl. No. 805,217 [22] Filed Mar. 7,1969 [45] Patented Dec. 22, 1970 [73] Assignee D. H. Baldwin CompanyCincinnati, Ohio a corporation of Ohio [54] ELECTRONIC ORGAN WITHALTERNATE REITERATION BY THREE-NOTE GROUPS 17 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 84/l.03, 84/1.19,84/1.24 [51] Int. Cl. Glh 1/02, GlOh 5/00[50] Field olSearch 84/1 .01, 1.03, 1.04. 1.19, 1.24, 1.25(A.F,O,S)

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,176,060 3/1965 Bissonetteet a1 84/1 .01

3,272,906 9/1966 DeVries et al 84/1.25 3,288,907 11/1966 George 84/1.253,333,042 7/1967 Brombaugh... 84/l.13 3,476,864 11/1969 Munch et a184/1.03

Primary Examiner-W. E. Ray Attorneys-W. l-l. Breunig and Hurvitz, Rose &Greene 65 vv lj '19 C 63 65 6'] 83 gg Mak anew -GnTEa1 31 53;, 65 84 A63 55 69 I REITERRTlON 87 W g 1 1 use. G 53 5 7| 11 881 r 85 M 1 normamen F C 63;, STOP 5 63 65 13 89 Suirru-l e3 65 $76) ea 65 91 93 ca 7@HERDERQI HEHDERUZ SPEQKER PATENTEU 00:22am

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ATTORNEYS ELECTRONIC ORGAN WITI-IALTERNATE REITERATION BY THREE-NOTEGROUPS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known to provide iterativesounding of tones derived from electronic organs. US. Pat. No. 1,901,986to Ranger is an early example. Later circuits are to be found in thefollowing US. Pat. Nos. 2,342,338 to Hanert, 2,916,957 to Hanert,3,039,347 to Krauss et al. and 3,235,650 to Cutler et al. Also, somecommercially available instruments employ two out-of-phase,direct-current actuating voltages for alternate groups of three adjacentkeyed-on oscillators or keyed-on gates from continuously runningsources. These instruments are productive of desirable musical effects,simulating the alternate playing of two separate notes of a xylophonewith a stick in each hand. However, the reiteration of the tones of thecommercially available instruments stops immediately upon key release.Therefore, it is a primary object of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention to provide an alternating reiteration system in whichthe decay portion of the tones is reiterated as well as the steady-stateportion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Continuously available tone signals are eitherkeyed directly or gated into collectors for each group of threeadjacentpitched notes. Alternate collectors may then be connected to apair of headers for separate filtering and reiteration altematively ingates which are actuated by the output of a reiteration oscillator andconverted to sound; or the pair of headers may each be gated in separategates in alternating reiterative fashion for subsequent tone colorfiltering and conversion to sound. Further, the output of each of thethree-signal collectors may be separately filtered and collectedalternately into two headers having each a gate actuated alternately bya reiteration oscillator for subsequent conversion to sound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. la is a block diagram of athree-note reiteration system of a type known in the art;

FIG. 1b is a block diagram of another three-note reiteration system of atype known in the art;

FIG. 1c is a graphical representation of the wave form of voltagesapplicable to the systems of FIGS. 1b and FIG. 2 is a partially-block,partially-schematic diagram of a first embodiment of this presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a portion of a further embodiment of thisinvention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a bistable gate which may be used inthe systems of FIGS. 2-4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In FIG. la is illustrated a priorart system wherein continuously running sources from C down to F withina selected octave are connected respectively to corresponding keyinggates 1, usually of a solid-state diode type. The gates 1 are connectedas shown to a collector 3 and to an output system 5 inclusive oftone-coloring, switching, amplification and loudspeaker means. Some ofthe gates 1 have connections as shown via key switches 7 and 11 and bus13 to a source (not shown) of voltage +V, connected to a first terminal17. Other gates 1 are connected as shown via other key switches 9 andothers (not shown) to a second bus 15, connected to a second source (notshown) of voltage +V connected to a second terminal 19. When thevoltages V and V whose wave shapes are illustrated in FIG. 10, areapplied to terminals 17 and 19, respectively, notes such as, forexample, C and A, are caused to sound, if their corresponding keyswitches 7 and 9 are closed. Since the positive portions of V and V areout of phase with each other, the notes C and A will sound in altema-LII tion reiteratively. This effect simulates finger keying notes C andA in alternation. Or the result is similar to that of a xylophonist whotaps C and A in alternation with separate sticks.

A similar effect is achieved by another prior art system (see FIG. 1b),wherein the corresponding sources C and A (normally off) are keyed intooscillation by key switches 21 and 23, for example, there being similarvoltages +V and +V connected at terminals 27 and 29. Signals from thechosen sources C and A will sound in the output system, inclusive ofappropriate tone coloring, switching and amplification.

According to the present invention, referring to FIG. 2, a gamut ofcontinuous sources C down to C (from one octave) have respective keyswitches 63 connected thereto, followed by isolating resistors 65. Theright-hand terminals of the respective resistors 65 are connected ingroups of three, as shown, to collectors 67, 69, 71 and 73. Alternatecollectors 67 and 71 are connected to a first header 75, while alternatecollectors 69 and 73 are joined by a second header 77. Headers 75 and 77are respectively connected to a first filter 79 and a second filter 81,which are respectively connected to gates 83 and 85. A reiterationoscillator 84 of a type to be disclosed hereinafter has its two outputsconnected respectively to gates 83 and 85, the outputs of which areshown passing through a bus 87, stop switch 89 and an amplifier 91 to anappropriate loudspeaker 93.

In operation, by selecting key switches 63 (FIG. 2) for sources C and A,signals corresponding thereto pass via collectors 67 and 69,respectively, and headers 75 and 77, respectively, to filters 79 and 81,respectively. After filtering therein, signals C and A enter gates 83and 85, respectively, and are gated in alternation by reiterationoscillator 84. The alternately reiterating signals are joined in bus 87and pass, upon closure of stop switch 89, to amplifier 91, whoseamplified output is converted to sound in loudspeaker 93.

An alternative embodiment of this invention is illustrated in part inFIG. 3, wherein the system is similar to FIG. 2 up to the headers 75 and77 whose idicia correspond (as do some of the others hereinafter) tothose of FIG. 2. However, headers 75 and 72 connect to the gates 83 anddirectly, which gates are connected to the reiteration oscillator 84.The output leads of the gates 83 and 85 join in a bus 95 which isconnected in tandem to a single filter 97, stop switch 89, amplifier 91and loudspeaker 93.

It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that in the system of FIG.3, the alternate reiteration occurs before filtering by virtue of tonesignals in headers 75 and 72, respectively, being alternately reiteratedin gates 83 and 85, the timing voltages being supplied by reiterationoscillator 84. Filtering may be accomplished in a single filter 97 andsound may be produced in the speaker 93 by closure of stop switch 89,amplification being accomplished in the amplifier 91.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.4, wherein exemplary continuous sources C down E (within an octave) havedirect connections with a plurality of gates 99, which may be of thesolid-state type illustrated, for example, in US. Pat. No. 3,233,031, inthe names of Walter Munch, Jr. and Robert C. Scherer, issued Feb. 1,1966. The gates 99 have connections via key switches 101 to source 103of direct current. The output leads from the gates 99 are connected inthree-note groups to collectors 105, 107 and 109 which, in turn, areconnected to separate filters 111, 113 and 115, respectively. Headers117 and 119 are connected to the filters 111, 113 and 115 as shown, thedashedline extensions of the former indicating that the system may beextended for additional sources, key switches, gates and collectors. Theheaders 117 and 119 may be connected respectively to gates 83 and 85,with connections therefrom to the reiteration oscillator 84. The gates83 and 85 then have connections to a stop switch 89, which is in cascadewith amplifier 91 and loudspeaker 93.

In operation, the gates 99 (of FIG. 4) gate the signals from sources Cdown to E when actuated via switches 101 by direct current from thesource 103. Collectors 105, 107, 109 channel signals by three-notegroups to the filters 1 11, 113, 115 for tone-coloring thereby. Thecollected signals are alternately reiterated in gates 83 and 85 as timedby reiteration oscillator 84. Closure of stop switch 89 directs theplayed signals via amplifier 91 for conversion to sound in loudspeaker93. An advantage of the system of FIG. 4. is that more adequatefiltering may be achieved by filtering each three-note group separately.Obviously this requires more filtering components, so a compromise maybe achieved by filtering the output from alternate collectors, such as105 and 109. This would require a wide-pass band filter to handle thewider pitch spread (of nine semitones).

The details of gates 83 and 85 and reiteration oscillator 84 areillustrated in FIG. 5. Two transistors T and T are employed in themultivibrator MV and two FETs, F and F as gates. The multivibrator MVemploys NPN transistors having emitters which can be selectivelyconnected, via ON-OFF switch 121, to ground or to V. The collectors areconnected by equal resistors 123, 125 to ground via lead 127.

Accordingly, when switch 121 is in OFF position, the multivibrator MV isinoperative, and when connected in the ON position to V, it oscillates.

The bases of transistor T and T, are connected via resistors 129 and 131to the slider 133 of a voltage divider 135. Position of the sliderestablished DC bias of T and T and therefore frequency of oscillation,which may be variable in the range of 3 to 13 Hz., for example only. Thecollector of T is capacitively coupled to the base of T and thecollector of T to the base of T,, in conventional fashion, to provideoscillations. The collectors of T and T then provide control pointswhich proceed in alternation from ground to negative potential as MVoscillates. The FETs, F and F are conductive when their gates arereferenced to ground. When switch 121 is in OFF condition, both gatesare referenced to ground, both FETs are conductive, and continuoussignals pass on to an output system through gates F and F whichcorrespond to gates such as 83 and 85 in FIG. 4.

The collectors of transistors T, and T are shown connected to ground viaresistors 123, 137 and 139, and filter capacitors 141 and 143 areprovided for smoothing purposes. The drain terminal D of FET F isconnected to filter 111, in FIG. 4, for example, and drain terminal D ofFET F to filter 113. The source terminals S are jointly connected to theoutput, that is, stop switch 89, amplifier 91 and loudspeaker 93, forexample.

A distinct advantage of the embodiment of FIG. 4 is that each tone isreiterated during decay, as well as during the steady-state portionthereof. This is not true of the prior art shown above.

Iclaim:

1. In an electronic musical instrument having a plurality of sources oftone signals corresponding to notes of a musical scale and an outputsystem, the combination comprising:

a plurality of keying means respectively corresponding to said sourcesand respectively coupled thereto;

at least two collectors each coupled to a group of at least two adjacentkeying means;

at least two parallel paths respectively between alternate ones of saidcollecting means and said output system,

each of said paths containing in cascade:

a first tone color filter; and

a reiterative gate means, one of said gate means reiterating alternatelywith another of said gate means.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein each of said tone colorfilters is next to one of said collectors.

3. The combination according to claim 1, wherein each of saidreiterative gate means is next to one of said collectors.

4. The combination according to claim 1, including a reiterationoscillator coupled between two of said reiterative gate means.

5. The combination according to claim 2, including a reiterationoscillator coupled between two of said reiterative gate means.

6. The combination according to claim 3, including a reiterationoscillator coupled between two of said reiterative gate means.

7. The combination according to claim 2, including:

a further tone color filter coupled to at least one of said collectorsnot having one of said first tone color filters connected thereto; and

a header having one connection to the junction between one of said firsttone color filters and one of said reiterative gate means and anotherconnection with said further tone color filter.

8. The combination according to claim 3, wherein said first tone colorfilter is common to said at least two parallel paths.

9. In an electronic musical instrument having a plurality of sources oftone signals corresponding to notes of a musical scale and an outputsystem, the combination comprising:

a plurality of keying means respectively corresponding to said sourcesand respectively coupled thereto;

at least two collectors each coupled to a group of at least two adjacentones of said keying means,

a pair of headers each coupled to alternate ones of said collectors;

a pair of tone color filters respectively coupled to said headers; and

a pair of reiterative gates coupled respectively between said filtersand said output system.

10. The combination according to claim 9, including a reiterationoscillator coupled between said gates.

11. The combination according to claim 10, wherein said output systemcomprises in cascade:

a stop switch;

an amplifier; and

a loudspeaker.

12. In an electronic musical instrument having a plurality of sources oftone signals corresponding to notes of a musical scale and an outputsystem, the combination comprising:

a plurality of keying means respectively corresponding to said sourcesand respectively coupled thereto;

at least two collectors each coupled to a group of at least two adjacentones of said keying means;

a pair of headers each coupled to alternate ones of said collectors;

a pair of reiterative gates respectively coupled to said headers; and

atone color filter coupled between said gates and said output system.

13. The combination according-to claim 12, including a reiterationoscillator coupled between said gates.

14. The combination according to claim 13, wherein said output systemcomprises in cascade:

a stop switch;

an amplifier; and

a loudspeaker.

15. In an electronic musical instrument having a plurality of sources oftone signals corresponding to notes of a musical scale and an outputsystem, the combination comprising:

a plurality of keying means respectively corresponding to said sourcesand respectively coupled thereto;

a plurality of collectors each coupled to a different group of threeadjacent ones of said keying means;

a plurality of filters respectively coupled to said collectors;

a pair of headers each coupled to alternate ones of said filters; and

a pair of reiterative gates coupled respectively between said headersand said output system.

16. The combination according to claim 15, including a reiterationoscillator coupled between said gates.

17. The combination according to claim 16, wherein said output systemcomprises:

a stop switch;

an amplifier; and

a loudspeaker.

1. TONE SIGNALS FROM ALTERNATE THREE-NOTE GROUPS ARE COLLECTED IN TWOCOMMON HEADERS FOR SEPARATE FILTERING FOLLOWED BY ALTERNATE REITERATIONAND CONVERSION TO SOUND.
 2. TONE SIGNALS FROM ALTERNATE THREE-NOTEGROUPS ARE COL-
 3. TONE SIGNALS FROM ALTERNATE THREE-NOTE GROUPS ARESEPARATELY FILTERED, THEN COLLECTED IN TWO SEPARATE HEADERS FORALTERNATE REITERATION AND CONVERSION TO SOUND.